Plan ahead: if you move into private rented accommodation you will usually have to pay a deposit and one month's rent in advance.  Make sure you check your rental agreement for any bills that may or may not be included, for example electricity.

Make sure all your flatmates' names are on the bill as the named person has to pay.

Make sure all your flatmates' names are on the bill as the named person has to pay.

Most companies have low cost schemes for students. Check with your parents as their policy may cover your belongings.   More information is available from StudentUK

If you own a TV, you must buy a TV licence otherwise you could be fined. Check the TV Licensing site for information about ways to pay.

Bigger supermarkets outside the city centre can be cheaper. Fresh food is sometimes sold at a reduced price from the late afternoon. You could consider cooking or shopping with flatmates.

Buy a weekly or monthly ticket, and also get a student discount card.  You can get lower train fares if you book ahead.  There is more information in the Travel Expenses section.

Look out for stores which offer student discounts.

It may be cheaper not to have a landline. If you do, make sure all your flatmates are named on the bill as the named person has to pay. If you have a mobile phone, Pay-As-You-Go might be a good choice.

SAAS pays tuition fees for most Scottish undergraduates, but you still have to apply each year. Check the Tuition Fees page for more information.

Try to buy second-hand books.  Once you graduate you might want to sell them.  Check university notice boards for books for sale.

Shop around and look out for student offers.

You need a lot of these for some courses. Buying large numbers is always cheapest. You could share the cost with friends.

Some bars and clubs have special offers at certain times.

Look out for student offers (2 for 1 and so on). Buy tickets in advance if you can as it is usually cheaper than paying at the door. In Glasgow, students' nights are usually Tuesdays and Thursdays - take advantage of cheap promotional deals.

Use the university facilities at the ARC; they can be cheaper than elsewhere in town. Look out for special deals.

Think carefully before getting a credit card. Check Money Supermarket or moneyfacts.co.uk for the best interest rates.  It is very easy to get into debt, so use cards wisely and always make at least the minimum monthly payments.  Store cards are very tempting, but think carefully about your budget before signing up for any.

Shop around to get the best bank accounts with reasonable overdraft facilities.   Support4Learning compares the deals from different banks.  Do NOT go over your overdraft limit - your bank will charge you for this. If you are looking for a bank loan, Money Supermarket compares the best deals. 

Try to spread out your loan. Your loan will be paid in 9 monthly installments from September to May, but remember it has to cover the summer months as well so budget carefully.

Most students find that they need to have a part-time job. Here are some ideas for finding a part-time job.

Use the Funding Assistant for advice on other sources of funding which you can apply for, (e.g. trusts, charities and so on).